I Have Celiac, And Am Very Strict With Diet, Yet Still, Am Not Myself

[beemahoney]

Hi! I have Celiac, and was diagnosed in January of 2011. I also have a thyroid disorder - hoshimoto's. I have adhered to a strict gluten-free diet since, and many of my symptoms were gone in weeks (extreme fog head, chest pain, eye dryness, thirst, bloating, fatigue, general feelings of unhealthiness). I have always been a healthy eater. The "strive for five" servings of vege & fruit were a non issue for me, as I regularly ate/eat them. I now eat at least 9 servings of vege/fruit. I eat an occasional gluten-free treat, such as pasta, or rice or potato, but normally I just avoid starchy foods. I have gained weight since my diagnosis, regardless, about 20 pounds to be exact. Is there a hidden secret between gluten and metabolism? I have researched and most Celiac victims seem to have just the opposite problem. I avoid high glycemic fruits and veges, and exercise daily (run about 12 miles a week, and walk around 10 miles a week). I eat a low sodium diet based on my family history of high blood pressure. I work a lot of hours a week. I am just wondering if there is anyone else out there who feels my pain! or has tips! I have lost roughly 5 pounds since I added the running into my schedule (6 months ago), and it makes me feel better, but where in the world is a girl to put the other 15 pounds! Also, I have periods of time where I just feel horrid - like my old undiagnosed self, for a few days at a time, even though no gluten, maybe dairy? I am just looking for feedback, or common thoughts..

thanks!

Megan

[rosetapper23]

I could have written your post a year ago--I was a lifelong jogger and ate a diet high in vegetables and fruits....and, yet, I had gained weight since going gluten free. I was absolutely mystified and read everything on the planet to help me find the answer. What I finally discovered is that I wasn't eating enough healthy fats and protein. I thought I was well educated about what a good diet entailed and what was necessary to maintain excellent health...but I was completely wrong. I had believed the "pyramid" and the so-called "experts" and didn't bother to read the science behind how the body uses nutrients. I found the answer to my extremely long journey in the book, "Primal Body, Primal Mind," by Nora Gedgaudas. "Truths" that I had accepted all of my life turned out to be merely advertisements for food manufacturers and crop growers. The pure science presented, along with the chemistry, astounded me. My understanding of nutrition and how the body utilizes food is now much broader than before, and I can tell you that, after applying the principles, the weight just fell off with little or no effort. My main problem is that I was scared to eat fat, but healthy fat is needed to digest fat-soluble vitamins and to power the brain. There are others on this forum who follow the principles of this book and who have also had wonderful results. Mine will be lifelong and beneficial, because I plan to follow this book's advice from now on. This is not a fad diet--it's the way we were meant to eat. I can highly recommend it. By the way, the author is death on gluten and grains, in general, and she discusses thyroid conditions in detail.

[GFinDC]

Hi Megan,

Are you being treated for your Hashimoto's thyroiditis? People with Hashimoto's may need thyroid supplements to maintain adequate thyroid hormone levels and metabolism.